Striking training device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A striking training device comprising a base; an adjustable length elongate member having an upper end and a lower end supported by the base in a vertical orientation defining a vertical axis; a punching bag supported on the upper end of the elongate member; a flexing member spaced along the elongate member between a ½ point up from the bottom of the base and a point ¾ up from the bottom of the base and in line with the elongate member along the vertical axis for providing a flexing point along the vertical axis corresponding to the flexing member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to exercise devices, and, inparticular, to striking bags, especially those used for boxing orfighting training.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention involves a striking training devicecomprising a base; an adjustable length elongate member having an upperend and a lower end supported by the base in a vertical orientationdefining a vertical axis; a punching bag supported on the upper end ofthe elongate member; a flexing member spaced along the elongate memberbetween a ½ point up from the bottom of the base and a point ¾ up fromthe bottom of the base and in line with the elongate member along thevertical axis for providing a flexing point along the vertical axiscorresponding to the flexing member.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention describedimmediately above includes one or more of the following: the adjustablelength elongate member comprises a first tube and a second tubetelescopingly engaged with each other to adjust a length of the elongatemember; a locking mechanism to lock the first tube and a second tuberelative to each other to a desired height relative to the base; theflexing member comprises a helical spring having a spring axis that iscoincident with the vertical axis when the striking bag is not in use;the elongate member includes a movable upper portion that includes thepunching bag and the flexing member; the flexing member is located in atleast the top ⅖ of the striking training device; the flexing member islocated in at least the top ⅗ of the striking training device; theflexing member is located in at least the top ⅓ of the striking trainingdevice; a plurality of gussets coupling the adjustable length elongatemember to the base; the punching bag includes a frustoconical lowersection and the striking device further includes a cone connector thatreceives the frustoconical lower section in the punching bag and couplesthe punching bag to the elongate member; the flexing member is a helicalcompression spring with opposite ends, and the striking training devicefurther includes bushing supports press fitted into the opposite ends ofthe helical compression spring, the adjustable length elongate memberincluding tube sections that are coupled to the helical compressionspring through the bushing supports; the ends of the helical compressionspring have an inner diameter, and the bushing supports have an outerdiameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the ends of thehelical compression spring; and/or the punching bag includes afrustoconical lower section and the striking training device includes abolt, one or more washers, a cone connector, and a nut to couplefrustoconical lower section of the punching bag to the adjustable lengthelongate member.

Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using the strikingtraining device of the aspect of the invention described above, whereinthe elongate member includes a movable upper portion that includes thepunching bag and the flexing member, comprising: receiving a strike withthe punching bag with the upper portion in a vertical orientation; theelongate member flexing at the flexing member so that movable upperportion moves away from and downward at least 30 degrees from thevertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention describedimmediately above includes one or more of the following: receiving astrike with the punching bag includes receiving an uppercut punch withthe punching bag; the elongate member flexing at the flexing memberincludes the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so thatmovable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 45 degreesfrom the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member isstationary; receiving a strike with the punching bag includes receivingat least one of a jab punch and a cross punch with the punching bag; theelongate member flexing at the flexing member includes the elongatemember flexing at the flexing member so that movable upper portion movesaway from and downward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis whilea remainder of the elongate member is stationary; receiving a hook punchwith the punching bag, providing side-to-side movement with the upperportion, with the movable upper portion disposed away from and downwardat least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of theelongate member is stationary; and/or receiving a hook punch with thepunching bag, providing side-to-side movement with the upper portion,with the movable upper portion disposed away from and downward at least60 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongatemember is stationary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a striking trainingdevice;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the striking training deviceof FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of astriking training device;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a flexing member andelongate member section of the striking training device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of a section of the striking device where afrustoconical lower section is coupled to a second end of a third pipe;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the striking training device andshows an upper portion of the striking training device responding to anuppercut punch by a user;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the striking training device andshows the upper portion of the striking training device responding to ajab and cross punch by a user; and

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the striking training device andshows the upper portion of the striking training device responding to ahook punch by a user.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an embodiment of a striking trainingdevice 100 will be described.

The striking training device 100 includes a base 110 formed by a steelbase plate 120. The base plate 120 includes holes 130 in corners 140 forsecuring the base 110 to a floor. Alternatively, a weight (e.g.,donut-shaped sand-filled weight) may lie on top of the base 110 tosecure the base 110 onto a floor. The base plate 120 includes a centralhole 150.

A first end or lower end 160 of a steel first pipe/pole/tube 170 isreceived in the central hole 150 of the base plate 120 to support thefirst pole 170. Steel gussets 175 may be welded to the first pipe 170,near the first end 160 to secure the first end 160 to the base plate120. A second end 180 of the first pipe 170 includes a threaded hole 190in periphery 200. A locking device 205 including a knob 210 withthreaded member 220, a washer 230, and a nut 240 is provided. Thethreaded member 220 extends through the washer 230, the nut 240, and thethreaded hole 190.

A second steel pipe/pole/tube 250 includes a first end 260 that istelescopingly received in the second end 180 of the first pipe 170 and asecond end 270. The knob 210 may be tightened in order to secure theposition of the second pipe 250 relative to and within the first pipe170 or untightened/loosened to allow the second pipe 250 to moverelative to and within the first pipe 170.

A flexing member/helical spring 280 has a spring axis and includes afirst end 290 that is secured (e.g., welded) to the second end 270 ofthe second pipe 260 via a flat washer 300, and a second end 310 that issecured (e.g., welded) to a first end 320 of a steel thirdpipe/pole/tube 330 via a flat washer 340. The third pipe 330 includes asecond end 350. Together, the first pole 170, the second pole 250, thespring 280, and the third pole 330 form an adjustable length elongatemember 355 defining a vertical axis VA that is coincident with thespring axis when the striking training device 100 is in the positionshown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown, the spring 280 includes an outside diameter of1.93 in., a wire diameter of 0.331 in., works in hole diameter of 2 max,works over rod diameter of 1 min, a free length of 8 in., total coils of13.99, a spring rate of 352+/−35.2 lbs/in, a solid height of 4.79 in.+5%(no lower limit), load at solid height of 1185.957 lbs, and a squaredand ground end type. It is important that the spring has a spring ratethat is soft enough to allow the movable upper portion 470 of thestriking training device 100 to move in motions described above withrespect to FIGS. 3-5, but stiff enough so that movable upper portion 470of the striking training device 100 rebounds quickly. Accordingly, thespring 280 preferably has the following characteristics:

Outside Diameter (inch): 1.93 Hole Diameter (inch): 2 Rod Diameter(inch): 1 Free Length (inch): 8 Rate (lb/inch): 352 Solid Height (inch):4.79 Wire Diameter (inch): 0.331 Material: Oil Tempered Chrome SiliconLoad at Solid Height (lb): 1185.96 Ends: Squared and Ground Direction ofWind: Factory Option Active Coils: 11.99 Total Coils: 13.99

These characteristics of the spring 280 allow the user to getback-and-forth quick movement, high speed reactions from the punchingbag 400.

Punching bag 400 includes a frustoconical lower section 410 that isreceived within a frustoconical/cone connector 420. Bolt 430, washer440, the cone connector 420, washer 450, and nut 460 are used to couplethe frustoconical lower section 410 to the second end 350 of the thirdpipe 330.

The punching bag 400, aforementioned connectors, third pipe 330, and thespring 280 together form a movable upper portion 470 of the strikingtraining device 100. The flexing member/spring 280 is located no higherthan the top ¼ (i.e., no higher than at a point ¾ up from the bottom ofthe base 110), and, in one embodiment, the flexing member/spring 280 islocated in at least the top ½ (i.e., at a point more than ½ up from thebottom of the base 110) of the striking training device 100, in anotherembodiment, the flexing member/spring 280 is located in at least the top⅖ (i.e., no lower than at a point ⅗ up from the bottom of the base 110)of the striking training device 100, and in another embodiment, theflexing member/spring 280 is located in at least the top ⅓ of thestriking training device 100 (i.e., no lower than at a point ⅔ up fromthe bottom of the base 110).

With reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, another embodiment of a striking trainingdevice 500 will be described. The striking training device 500 isgenerally similar to the striking training device 100. The descriptionof the striking training device 100 is incorporated herein.

During assembly of the striking training device 500, a supporttube/first pipe 503 is welded to a top surface of mounting plate/base501 around its entire circumference. Four gussets 502 are added to thisassembly placed every 90 degrees around a base of support tube 503. Thefour gussets 502 reinforce the base of this assembly. Hex nut 506 iswelded to one side of support tube 503 for coupling threaded knob 505and lock washer 504 of locking device to the support tube 503. Bushingsupports 516 are made of 1018 carbon steel, which is a low-carbon steel,which is easily weldable, as it contains 0.18% carbon. The mechanical,electrical, and thermal properties of 1018 steel determine its suitableapplications. The Rockwell hardness of the alloy ranges from 71 to 78.The tensile yield strength varies from 275 to 375 megapascals (MPa). Aflexing member in the form of compression spring 508 is made of OilTempered Chrome Silicon wire. Chrome Silicon Commercial Quality wire isdesigned for springs that must withstand considerable shock and extremeheat. Chrome silicon can be used at temperatures up to 50° F. higherthan chrome vanadium. As shown in FIG. 2B, two bushing supports 516 arepress fit into the spring 508 with 20000 psi. Press fits rely onconstant stress and friction. This press fitting of these two bushingsupports 516 into the holes at opposite ends of the spring 508 causethese parts to fuse together indefinitely. The outer diameter of bushingsupports 516 is greater than the inner diameter of spring 508. Thisprocess creates a unique assembly for the striking training device 500.Hex nut 512 is pressed into spring top tube 509 and fully welded. Bottomtube/second pipe 507 and top tube/third pipe 509, hex nut 512 assemblyare pressed into the top and bottom of compression spring 508, bushingsupports 516 assembly. Bushing supports 516 are welded to top and bottomends of bottom tube 507 and top tube 509 around the entire circumferenceof the bushing supports 516. By pressing bushing supports 516 into thetop and bottom of the compression spring 508, the chance of fracture atthis joint is greatly reduced. All welding types described herein areTIG welding, with Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The compressionspring 508 is made of Oil Tempered Chrome Silicon and has the followingcharacteristics:

Outside Diameter (inch): 1.93 Hole Diameter (inch): 2 Rod Diameter(inch): 1 Free Length (inch): 8 Rate (lb/inch): 352 Solid Height (inch):4.79 Wire Diameter (inch): 0.331 Material: Oil Tempered Chrome SiliconLoad at Solid Height (lb): 1185.96 Ends: Squared and Ground Direction ofWind: Factory Option Active Coils: 11.99 Total Coils: 13.99

FIGS. 2A, 2C show how bolt 514, washer 511, flat washer 515, coneconnector 513, flat washer 515, and hex nut 512 are used to couplefrustoconical lower section 520 of punching bag 400 to second end 522 ofthe third pipe top tube 509.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, a variety of different types ofstrikes/punches will be described with respect to the striking trainingdevice 100. This and how the upper portion 470 responds to a variety ofdifferent types of strikes/punches will be described in use. At rest,the upper portion 470 of the striking training device 100 is in theconfiguration/position shown in FIG. 1. When a user strikes/punches thepunching bag 400, much of the force imparted to the punching bag 400 istransferred to the rest of the upper portion 470, causing the spring 280to flex. The greater the force imparted to the side of the punching bag400, the more the spring 280 flexes. Further, the more the spring 280flexes in one direction, the spring 280 will likewise flex acommensurate amount upon return of the spring 280 in the oppositedirection.

As shown in FIG. 3, one type of strike/punch that may be practiced withthe striking training device 100 is the uppercut punch. With the uppercut punch, the upper portion 470 is angled at angle A of at least 45%from vertical. When the user punches/strikes the punching bag 400 withan uppercut strike/punch, as shown by the lower arrow, the upper portion470 moves in the manner/direction shown by the upper arrows to theright-most position, angled at angle B of at least 45% from vertical,and then returning to the left-most position, where the user may punchthe punching bag 400 again (e.g., with another uppercut strike/punchfrom the same arm, another uppercut strike/punch with the opposite arm,another type of strike/punch).

As shown in FIG. 3, one type of strike/punch that may be practiced withthe striking training device 100 is the uppercut punch to improve theuser's punching/striking angle(s). With the upper cut punch, the upperportion 470 is angled at angle A of at least 45 degrees from vertical.When the user punches/strikes the punching bag 400 with an uppercutstrike/punch, as shown by the lower arrow, the upper portion 470 movesin the manner/direction shown by the upper arrows to the right-mostposition, angled at angle B of at least 45 degrees from vertical, andthen returning to the left-most position, where the user may punch thepunching bag 400 again (e.g., with another uppercut strike/punch fromthe same arm, another uppercut strike/punch with the opposite arm,another type of strike/punch).

As shown in FIG. 4, another type(s) of strike/punch that may bepracticed with the striking training device 100 is/are the jab punch andcross punch. With the jab punch and cross punch, the upper portion 470is vertical and, then, when the user punches/strikes the punching bag400 with the jab/cross punch, as shown by the left arrow, the upperportion 470 moves in the manner/direction shown by the right arrows tothe right-most position, angled at angle C of at least 45 degrees fromvertical in one embodiment, at least 30 degrees from vertical in anotherembodiment, and then returning to the vertical position, where the usermay punch the punching bag 400 again (e.g., with another jab/cross punchfrom the same arm, another jab/cross punch with the opposite arm,another type of strike/punch). Because of the spring constant of thespring 280, the user can get high speed reactions from the punching bag400, with jabs and cross punches, allowing user to develop fastreactions.

As shown in FIG. 5, another type(s) of strike/punch that may bepracticed with the striking training device 100 is the hook punch. Withthe hook punch, the upper portion 470 is at an angle D of at least 45degrees from vertical in one embodiment, at least 60 degrees fromvertical in another embodiment, then, when the user punches/strikes thepunching bag 400 with the hook punch, as shown by the bottom arrowdirected to the left, the upper portion 470 moves, from a top plan viewof the striking training device 100, in a counter-clockwisemanner/direction, about vertical axis VA formed by the poles 170, 250,330, shown by the top arrows directed to the right, angled at angle E ofat least 45 degrees from vertical in one embodiment, at least 60 degreesfrom vertical in another embodiment, and then returning towards theuser, where the user may punch the punching bag 400 again (e.g., withanother hook punch with the opposite arm, another type of strike/punch).Thus, a hook punch creates side-to-side movements with the upper portion470.

Unlike other punching bags of the past, where a spring is at the bottomor top of the device, limiting bag movements, the striking trainingdevice 100 allows a number of different punches to be used.

The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention,which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionalitythat can be included in the invention. The invention is not restrictedto the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can beimplemented using a variety of alternative architectures andconfigurations. Additionally, although the invention is described abovein terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it shouldbe understood that the various features and functionality described inone or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described,but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or moreof the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not suchembodiments are described and whether or not such features are presentedas being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope ofthe present invention, especially in the following claims, should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectivessuch as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms ofsimilar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item describedto a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, butinstead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal,or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at anytime in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be readas “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item,elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed inthe singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereofunless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence ofbroadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but notlimited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read tomean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances wheresuch broadening phrases may be absent.

1. A striking training device, comprising: a base; an adjustable lengthelongate member having an upper end and a lower end supported by thebase in a vertical orientation defining a vertical axis; a punching bagsupported on the upper end of the elongate member; a flexing memberspaced along the elongate member no lower than a ½ point up from thebottom of the base and no higher than a point ¾ up from the bottom ofthe base, and in line with the elongate member along the vertical axisfor providing a flexing point along the vertical axis corresponding tothe flexing member.
 2. The striking training device of claim 1, whereinthe adjustable length elongate member comprises a first tube and asecond tube telescopingly engaged with each other to adjust a length ofthe elongate member.
 3. The striking training device of claim 1, furthercomprising a locking mechanism to lock the first tube and a second tuberelative to each other to a desired height relative to the base.
 4. Thestriking training device of claim 1, wherein the flexing membercomprises a helical spring having a spring axis that is coincident withthe vertical axis when the striking bag is not in use.
 5. The strikingtraining device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes amovable upper portion that includes the punching bag and the flexingmember.
 6. The striking training device of claim 5, wherein the flexingmember is located no lower than the top ⅖ of the striking trainingdevice.
 7. The striking training device of claim 5, wherein the flexingmember is located no lower than the top ⅗ of the striking trainingdevice.
 8. The striking training device of claim 5, wherein the flexingmember is located no lower than the top ⅓ of the striking trainingdevice.
 9. The striking training device of claim 1, further including aplurality of gussets coupling the adjustable length elongate member tothe base.
 10. The striking training device of claim 1, wherein thepunching bag includes a frustoconical lower section and the strikingdevice further includes a cone connector that receives the frustoconicallower section in the punching bag and couples the punching bag to theelongate member.
 11. A striking training device, comprising: a base; anadjustable length elongate member having an upper end and a lower endsupported by the base in a vertical orientation defining a verticalaxis; a punching bag supported on the upper end of the elongate member;a flexing member spaced along the elongate member a ½ point up from thebottom of the base and a point ¾ up from the bottom of the base, and inline with the elongate member along the vertical axis for providing aflexing point along the vertical axis corresponding to the flexingmember, wherein the flexing member is a helical compression spring withopposite ends, and the striking training device further includes bushingsupports press fitted into the opposite ends of the helical compressionspring, the adjustable length elongate member including tube sectionsthat are coupled to the helical compression spring through the bushingsupports.
 12. The striking training device of claim 11, wherein the endsof the helical compression spring have an inner diameter, and thebushing supports have an outer diameter that is greater than the innerdiameter of the ends of the helical compression spring.
 13. The strikingtraining device of claim 1, wherein the punching bag includes afrustoconical lower section and the striking training device includes abolt, one or more washers, a cone connector, and a nut to couplefrustoconical lower section of the punching bag to the adjustable lengthelongate member.
 14. A method of using the striking training device ofclaim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a movable upper portionthat includes the punching bag and the flexing member, comprising:receiving a strike with the punching bag with the upper portion in avertical orientation; the elongate member flexing at the flexing memberso that movable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 30degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate memberis stationary.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving a strikewith the punching bag includes receiving an uppercut punch with thepunching bag.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the elongate memberflexing at the flexing member includes the elongate member flexing atthe flexing member so that movable upper portion moves away from anddownward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder ofthe elongate member is stationary.
 17. The method of claim 14, whereinreceiving a strike with the punching bag includes receiving at least oneof a jab punch and a cross punch with the punching bag.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the elongate member flexing at the flexing memberincludes the elongate member flexing at the flexing member so thatmovable upper portion moves away from and downward at least 45 degreesfrom the vertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member isstationary.
 19. The method of claim 14, further including receiving ahook punch with the punching bag, providing side-to-side movement withthe upper portion, with the movable upper portion disposed away from anddownward at least 45 degrees from the vertical axis while a remainder ofthe elongate member is stationary.
 20. The method of claim 14, furtherincluding receiving a hook punch with the punching bag, providingside-to-side movement with the upper portion, with the movable upperportion disposed away from and downward at least 60 degrees from thevertical axis while a remainder of the elongate member is stationary.